Leaf Drop-Off
The Public Works facility at 11522 Minnetonka Blvd will be the only site accepting leaves and yardwaste. During the busiest times, there will be expanded drop-off days. In addition to the normal operating schedule, the site will be open on Friday, May 7 and 14, from 12–6 p.m., and Sunday, May 9 and 16, from 12–4 p.m. Enter on the west side of the building (near the Big Willow ball fields).
You must present proper identification to verify you are a Minnetonka resident (driver’s license, state I.D., or Minnetonka utility bill).
The city leaf drop-off site is “bag free.” Residents will un-bag their leaves and yardwaste onto the large bulk pile and take all empty bags home for reuse or disposal—including paper and compostable bags. Please bring proper equipment—a stout pitch fork—to unload your truck or trailer load of leaves.
The best method is to use many layers of tarps between a foot or less of leaves. Use the tarp to gather up and move a small pile of leaves from your yard to your trailer or vehicle, continue using lots of small tarp loads until the vehicle is full. This makes unloading your leaves easier and faster at the site, just flip off the tarps one at a time. Try it, you will spend less time loading and unloading your leaves.
Loads of leaves must be covered during transport!
Sticks and branches smaller than ½ inch inch in diameter are acceptable with leaves; anything large goes to the brush pile. For further details on brush, please see the brush drop-off page.
Leaves
Standard dates and times
Accepted at Public Works, 11522 Minnetonka Blvd. on the following days and times:
- Mondays: 12–8 p.m.
- April 12, April 19, April 26, May 3, May 10
- Tuesdays: 12–8 p.m.
- April 13, April 20, April 27, May 4, May 11
- Saturdays: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- April 17, April 24, May 1, May 8, May 15
Expanded dates and times
Expanded Friday and Sunday spring leaf drop-off hours:
- Fridays: 12–6 p.m.
- May 7, May 14
- Sundays: 12–8 p.m.
- May 2, May 9, May 16
The 2010 spring leaf drop-off ends Sunday, May 16.
If you have other means of handling your leaves such as collection by your garbage hauler or backyard composting, please use that option! All garbage haulers offer curbside collection of yard waste on the same day as your garbage collection for a reasonable annual or monthly fee. The garbage hauler yardwaste collection programs typically run mid-April through mid-November. Check with your garbage hauler for details.
Information about composting and yard waste management is available from Dean Elstad, public works, at 952.988.8430.
Plastic yard waste bags banned for curbside collection by your hauler
Please be aware of a new state law effective January 1, 2010, requiring that yard waste set out for curbside collection by your garbage hauler in the metro area be placed in compostable bags—either paper or compostable plastic bags.
If your garbage hauler provides yard waste carts, it’s best to simply place materials inside the carts loose, with no bags. However, if you want to use bags, be sure to use paper or compostable ones required for curbside collection.
If you use the city spring and fall leaf drop-off programs, they are “bag free.” The bulk leaf drop-off area will accept loose loads of leaves, or residents may empty bagged yard waste and take their bags home, no matter the type of bag!
Allowable bags are either paper Kraft bags (large brown paper bags) or compostable plastic bags, both of which are available in stores. Look for compostable plastic bags that state on the box they “meet ASTM D6400 standards for composting” and are “compostable.” Biodegradable or degradable plastic bags do not meet the state law requirements. Compostable plastic bags are usually clear or tinted an opaque shade of green, white or pink.
If you have any questions, check with your garbage hauler.
